Recent discoveries of evidence for fossil colour represent a paradigm shift in palaeobiology, providing novel insights into the behaviour and evolution of diverse taxa. Fossil pigments are a particular focus, but our understanding of their preservation is incomplete. In this seminar, Dr Maria McNamara will present new data from various modern and fossil vertebrates that enrich our understanding of fossil pigment taphonomy and have important implications for inferences of the behaviour and physiology of ancient organisms.